virus question

[amazing_andr3]

I was thinking of the following scenario:
a silent virus on my computer infects the sites I store here. Then I upload them (with the virus attached to them) to the server (FTP), from where they infect vulnerable machines that access my site. Is this realistic, and if not why?

[Daniel T]

Possible, but definitely not likely, or harmful for that matter. It may set up some sort of tracking cookie on the user's computer, but other than that there is not much you can do to a client's computer from your web server.

[PeOfEo]

A client browsing does not have to worry unless he or she is using internet explorer and your virus can exploit some activex controls.

[amazing_andr3]

hmmm... that's reassuring enough, but what about inserting malicious scripts or just plain old eating up bandwidth?

[MstrBob]

You do look at your files before uploading them, right? If so, you would notice any changes. And how would a virus know what files to modify? I've never heard of something like that, and doubt its out there.

Edit: (On a side note... my 2000th post! W00t!)

fin.

[theuedimaster]

Sweet ass man. Sweet ass.

[DaveSW]

I once had this virus (http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/html.redlof.a.html) that infected my template files and all work I had previously done on a system. It adds an encrypted activex code to the bottom of your pages. Obviously if I'd uploaded it then it might have spread to other people's systems, but I noticed this big block of junk at the bottom of my template page and decided to do a virus scan...

[amazing_andr3]

I see... so this is not a major concern. Thanks for putting my mind at ease.

[DaveSW]

well if you have antivirus software that's up to date it shouldn't happen. And if you view the source code of your sites before you upload then you should see it - it is pretty obvious ;) So in short, it's highly unlikely to happen but it's a good idea to have AV software to prevent it happening!

[PeOfEo]

In other virus news, have you guys heard about html netsky? It is an email worm, it uses an html email that exploits activex to get the netsky virus onto the users machine.

[DaveSW]

Yeah - it's a good reason to turn the preview pane off or get mailwasher ;)

http://www.pandasoftware.com/virus_info/encyclopedia/overview.aspx?idvirus=45740&sind=0

[PeOfEo]

Or use mozillamail ;) no activeX in sight!